Search

Vulvar melanoma (VM) accounts for 1-3% of all melanoma arising in women with poor long-term clinical outcome.[[1]] VM can be uni- or multifocal.[[3]] Multifocality is defined as multiple foci of melanoma separated by intact epithelium, or arising on follow-up, outside the vicinity of the surgical scar.[6] Total of 66% of the patients had more than one focus of melanoma, either apparent at their initial diagnosis or developed during follow-up.[6] There were only 25 cases of dermatoscopy of VM published so far, where blue, grey or white colour plus structureless zones, multicomponent patterns with irregular dots/globules, blue-white veil and atypical vessels were highly predictive for melanoma.[[1], [3], [7]] Ringlike pattern is considered to be the frequent finding and the clue for vulvar melanosis, the most common clinical impersonator of VM,[[1], [3], [7]] reassuring feature suggestive of benign process,[7] not associated with melanoma and naevi.[3] No dermatoscopy of recurrent VM has been published, to date. Biopsies revealed melanoma, Breslow 2.25 mm, diagnosed in a small nodule on the left side of the vulva (Fig. b). [Extracted from the article]

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections of the germ line that can remain capable of replication within the host genome. In the soma, DNA methylation and repressive chromatin keep the majority of this parasitic DNA transcriptionally silent. However, it is unclear how the host organism adapts to recognize and silence novel invading retroviruses that enter the germ line. Krueppel-Associated Box (KRAB)-associated protein 1 (KAP1) is a transcriptional regulatory factor that drives the epigenetic repression of many different loci in mammalian genomes. Here, we use published experimental data to provide evidence that human KAP1 is recruited to endogenous retroviral DNA by KRAB-containing zinc-finger transcription factors (TFs). Many of these zinc-finger genes exist in clusters associated with human chromosome 19. We demonstrate that these clusters are located at hotspots for copy number variation (CNV), generating a large and continuing diversity of zinc-finger TFs with new generations. These zinc-finger genes possess a wide variety of DNA binding affinities, but their role as transcriptional repressors is conserved. We also perform a computational study of the different ERVs that invaded the human genome during primate evolution. We find candidate zinc-finger repressors that arise in the genome for each ERV family that enters the genomes of primates. In particular, we show that those repressors that gained their binding affinity to retrovirus sequences at the same time as their targets invaded the human lineage are preferentially located on chromosome 19 (P-value: 3 × 10−3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We present a series of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated with endovascular embolization by detachable coils.Materials and Methods: There were 108 patients with SAH treated with endovascular coiling. The efficacy of the endovascular coiling was estimated by initial postembolization angiography and by digital subtraction angiography after 6 months, using the following categories: complete occlusion of an aneurysm (98%-100%), near-complete occlusion (90%-98%), and incomplete occlusion (<90%).Results: In 42 (39%) patients the endovascular coiling was performed during the fi rst 72 h after SAH, and 48 (44%) patients had aneurysms <10 mm in diameter. The most frequent location of ruptured aneurysms was the internal carotid artery (39 patients, 36%). Initially, complete occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved in 87 patients (81%), near-complete in 12 patients (11%), and incomplete in 9 patients (8%). After 6 months, complete occlusion of the aneurysm remained in 84 patients, near-complete in 12 patients, and incomplete in 6 patients; 6 patients were lost to follow-up.Conclusion: Endovascular coiling of ruptured intracranial aneurysms is an efficient procedure that should be performed as soon as possible after detection of an SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electron-impact ion source based on photoelectron emission was developed for ionization of gases at pressures below 10-4 mbar in an axial magnetic field in the order of 5 T. The ion source applies only dc fields, which makes it suitable for use in the presence of equipment sensitive to radio-frequency (RF) fields. The ion source was successfully tested under varying conditions regarding pressure, magnetic field, and magnetic-field gradient, and the results were studied with the help of simulations. The processes in the ion source are well understood, and possibilities for further optimization of generated ion currents are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Irreversible obstruction of urine flow due to stricture of the distal ureter is one of the most frequent reasons for uroradiological intervention. Using new technologies and with appropriate stents applied at the right time, it is possible to release the stricture and avoid external drainage of urine.Materials and Methods: Our case series consists of six patients (four women, two men) initially treated by percutaneous nephrostomy due to ureteral stricture. The authors used a combined approach (both percutaneous and retrograde) because the balloon catheter could not be inserted using only one approach owing to the morphology of the stricture. The metal guidewire was inserted through a residual tract after previous nephrostomy, and the balloon catheter and a stent were introduced using a retrograde approach through the urinary bladder (four cases) or through an ileostomy positioned at the anterior abdominal wall. In five of the six cases, coated temporary ureteral stents were used.Results: In all six cases the therapeutic aim was achieved. Urine flow through the strictures was established, and the need for percutaneous nephrostomy was obviated. Neither early nor late complications (11 months after the procedure and 6 months after stent removal) associated with the procedure were recorded.Conclusion: In patients with subtotal stricture of the distal ureter, which permits passage only of a hydrophyl guidewire, a combined percutaneous retrograde approach can achieve sustainable flow of urine through the stricture using a balloon catheter and coated stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the constant performance improvement and cost reduction of power electronics and motor drives, more efficient vehicles such as electric, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are becoming a reality. The commonality between all advanced vehicles is the presence of electric propulsion powered by an electric storage system. As a result, the development of adequate energy storage systems is now more important than ever. High energy density, modularity, and affordability have made batteries the technology of choice for vehicular applications. In recent years, battery technology has made great strides in improving the energy and power density. Still, a tradeoff between power and energy must be made to best meet space and weight constraints. In this article, we shed some light on this tradeoff. We also look at how batteries can be represented with equivalent circuits. Finally, we go into some detail on battery management requirements that ensure that the batteries perform as expected. Power electronics has revolutionized motor drives, bringing within the realm of possibility electric drive-trains with extremely high performance. The motors themselves have been improved, offering higher reliability and better performance with a reduced cost. Unfortunately, the weak link in the electric drive-train development chain remains-energy storage. There are some advancements in energy storage device development that offer good promise in terms of energy density and power density but none have the desired combination of all of the following features: fast charging-discharging (high-power density), large-storage capacity (high-energy density), low cost, and long life. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses the operational characteristics of the topologies for hybrid electric vehicles (HEY), fuel cell vehicles (FCY), and more electric vehicles (MEV). A brief description of series hybrid, parallel hybrid, and fuel cell-based propulsion systems are presented. The paper also presents fuel cell propulsion applications, more specific to light-duty passenger cars as well as heavy-duty buses. Finally, some of the major fundamental issues that currently face these advanced vehicular technologies including the challenges for market penetration are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case study of a 63-year-old multiparous white female presented with tumour on her right labium majus. It mentions her dermatoscopy examination which revealed vulvar basal cell carcinoma (BCC) which affects post-menopausal woman. It also mentions the ability of BCC to mimic several diseases including paget disease, squamous cell carcinoma and leukoplakia, which causes hindrances in diagnosis.